A serious car accident occurred on the A13 in east London, involving a Waymo vehicle that was part of a trial for driverless taxis. The incident happened at 2am on Wednesday when another vehicle, traveling at 93mph, collided with the Waymo car. Four people were injured in the crash and were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance.
At the time of the accident, the Waymo vehicle had a driver behind the wheel, as the company's current protocol requires a human driver to be present in case of an emergency. The driver was in manual mode, and the vehicle was being operated as part of an evaluation of its performance. Waymo's goal is to eventually introduce driverless taxis in London, but the company is still in the testing phase.
According to eyewitness accounts, the Waymo vehicle was approached from behind by the other vehicle, which was traveling at nearly twice the speed limit. The speeding vehicle swerved into an adjacent lane, collided with another car, and then made contact with the Waymo vehicle. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The company has expressed gratitude for the quick response of emergency officials and has wished those injured a full and fast recovery. The incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and the need for continued evaluation of autonomous vehicles before they can be introduced as a regular mode of transportation.
